The real football fans light up Kasarani as 2024 Chan hits full swing

If you are reading this article in Nairobi before noon, you should already be on your way to Kasarani Stadium by now.

One thing Kenyans love is football. The 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, has re-ignited a football fever that is fast sweeping through East Africa. 

Meant to be a dress rehearsal for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027, 2024 Chan has transformed Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Zanzibar, cities that usually host local league matches and competitions every week, into vibrant football hubs. 

19 African countries have sent their finest teams to compete in a tournament meant solely for players plying their trade in local leagues. These players, therefore, close to the locals, have managed to pull massive crowds into stadia, along with agents, hoping to spot the next African talent.

Kenya’s first fixture had already “sold out” a few hours after the ticketing portal opened and prices were revealed in July. This raised a few eyebrows, considering the large capacity of the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (48,000).

The healthy nature of the ticket prices created an expectation, therefore, that Kasarani would be filled to the brim on Sunday, August 3, when the Harambee Stars took on DR Congo.

Fans did not disappoint.

Families and friends showed up in droves, only to be met by strict logistical measures. This, after thorough security checks, scans and searches, to which some expressed dissatisfaction.

Nairobi’s County Traffic Police rolled out an intricate traffic control plan, which closed some roads to ease pedestrian flow while inconveniencing everyday motorists. Barricades also sat far from stadium gates, which forced fans to take long walks from drop-off points.

CAF restrictions 

Then the shocker came. CAF’s Local Safety and Security banned the symbols of Kenyan fan culture, including vuvuzelas, flags and whistles.

Unless you were an infant or went to the stadium sick for some reason, food was off-limits, too. Since 'njugu' and crisps hawkers were also prohibited, if you had not eaten at home, you were in for an afternoon of hungry football”. 

Clusters of chaos were witnessed when a group of frustrated and impatient fans breached security, disrupting the well-organised entry system.  But when President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and CAF President Patrice Motsepe took their seats, the game went on.

Despite the frustration, Kenyan fans managed to walk out of the stadium happier than they arrived after a hard-fought 1-0 win. Gor Mahia midfielder Austine Onyango took matters into his own hands, weaving his way past the Leopards’ defence and calmly slotting the ball home right before halftime.

Onyango was nicknamed “Rolls Royce” from his early days at the Baba Dogo grounds. His solo goal earned him and his teammates a fortune, as the Sports Ministry paid out Sh42 million (Sh1 million each to 27 players and 15 technical bench members). This was a pledge given by President Ruto days before. 

Ticketing controversy

A darker story unfolded behind the scenes, even though the match seemed colourful from the outside.

A ticketing controversy left empty seats in several sections, despite the official portal indicating that tickets had “sold out”.  

Investigations by The Standard pointed to a well-coordinated scheme in which political figures and certain government departments allegedly bulk-bought tickets, partly to keep out fans suspected of planning anti-government protests. 

They reportedly then distributed them to their security personnel, political supporters and select groups.

A South C politician proudly posted a batch of tickets online, claiming he bought them for supporters. Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo, alias Matakwei was also photographed outside City Hall distributing free tickets.

In a video, he is heard saying, “I have more than 100 tickets. If you want to be at Kasarani, come find me.”

The Standard has also seen a circular from prison headquarters, referencing instructions from the State Department for Internal Security. It directed officers to submit the names of those interested in attending Chan events.

“Please inform all staff in sports and other staff members under your command interested in attending the CHAN events to submit their names”, the memo read in part.

Videos, social media posts and leaked memos showed local leaders boastful about getting tickets in hundreds for their “followers”.

Although Chan organisers had introduced an official digital ticketing system (Mookh Africa) to prevent prevalent irregularities, it is said that the system’s lack of limits on purchases allowed large-scale hoarding by local leaders. No limit was placed on how many tickets one account could buy, which favoured hoarding. 

This left a huge number of fans without tickets, with no choice but to break through barriers, hoping to watch the game. At the time of publishing this article, there has been no response from either CAF or Mookh Africa to address these allegations. Football Kenya Federation (FKF), meanwhile, distanced itself from the chaotic process.

CAF fine

The tournament organisers watched this all unfold and will reportedly slap FKF with a Sh2.5 million fine after noting a series of alarming security lapses.

According to an official security report being compiled by CAF and shared online, the game witnessed multiple incidents at Gate 11, where fans reportedly overwhelmed security personnel, causing a stampede. Some fans are said to have been injured as they tried to force their way into the venue.

A motorcycle was also seen moving through dense crowds, which CAF considers a deliberate violation of security protocols. A few fans were caught on camera lighting a fire behind the stands at Block 18.

There was also commotion in the VVIP section. CAF protocol officials, including members of CAF President Patrice Motsepe’s Close Protection Unit, were denied access.  The report also highlighted that a CAF commercial staff member was allegedly assaulted by an employee from Falcon Private Security, the firm contracted for the event.

Kenya v Angola

When Harambee Stars faced Angola on Thursday, August 10, fans had learnt their lessons. Gates' entries ran smoother, fans were more prepared, and tempers were kept in check, with the looming fine in mind. Considering it was a match that kicked off at 7pm, people were more cautious.

One could tell that Kenyans had desired to watch a game under floodlights for a long time. So much so that against the Antelopes, 44,000 lit up their phone flashlights just before kickoff, creating a shimmering halo effect around the refurbished pitch. 

This magic must have scared Benni McCarthy’s boys, as it dimmed quickly when they conceded in just the sixth minute, shutting down the noise and every single flashlight. But the drama that unfolded after showed what the former Bafana Bafana star was all about. 

VAR drama

Under the lights at Kasarani, fans got to taste the sweet and sour side of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).  

Pedro Goncalves thought his side would stride to victory after Harambee Stars’ midfielder Marvin Nabwire’s red card in the first half, only for the 12th man to get behind the home team.

Kenya fought back to gain an impressive point, again courtesy of none other than Odhiambo. A penalty this time, "Rolls Royce" sent Angola goalkeeper Adilson Cipriano da Cruz “Neblu” the wrong way, after being fouled in the box and a VAR check.

Angola thought they had stolen it at the death after João Chingado scored a header from a counter-attack, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

Nyayo Stadium

Many assumed that since all Kenya matches are played at Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium would suffer low attendance.

Morocco v Angola, on the same day Harambee Stars played DR Congo, drew a very healthy crowd, some who had travelled, with many locals who opted to buy tickets in case access to Kasarani proved difficult.

DR Congo fans had to wait until their second game to perform their iconic “Fimbu na fimbu” celebration as the Leopards clawed Zambia 2-0 at an almost packed Nyayo Stadium.

DR Congo fans swarmed Nyayo clad in sky blue kits and carried their team to victory through song and dance.

Expect another electric atmosphere at Kasarani today (3pm) as Kenya faces Morocco.